ECNL moving to school year not calendar

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The argument has never been that a Q4 kid is going to magically become an international star by switching to Q2 in a younger team.

The argument is that more kids will keep playing if they are on teams with kids in their grade.

AND

The trapped players will stop being screwed, several times over.

Switching to SY also does NOT allow red shirting, as its still based on YOB.

That's it, you can all stop being angry now.

Make the argument that its not worth the disruption sure, or that it misaligns with international soccer, but stop with the rest.

The argument about more kids playing with kids from their grade must be at the lower levels. No kid who is trying to get to the top level will care about this. I don't think my kids could even tell me what grade their teammates are in...why would they? There is school and then there is soccer...very different things. Is this something you guys are discussing about your travel soccer team? What grade the kids are in?

Really, "no kid" trying to get to the top cares? Some of them may not know any different, and seem happy with the current system, but I promise you some good players do care. Back in the day before all-star club teams were required to play in college, when teams were split by class year, most future D1 players I knew chose to stay on club teams with friends from school instead of moving to the best all-star team they could 30+ minutes away. Playing *for* their best friends in many cases seemed to make them play and practice harder. I think many are confusing the reality that ambitious players are currently *forced* to play without their school friends (to achieve high level goals) with the idea that they *prefer* it. And remember, in many cases we may be talking about just one potential new school friend being able to be a teammate at their club, which could make a big difference in his/her enjoyment. Some parents might be putting words in their kids' mouths when saying "my kid is so talented, hardcore, and focused on greatness that they don't care about spending extra time with school friends."

Yes
No top tier kid or kid aspiring for top tier cares about sharing crayons on Monday morning with teammates

Contrary to popular belief, the team age cutoff change will not force top tier, middle tier and lower tier players to play soccer with friends. Relax, if your kid doesn't want to play with friends, this change doesn't have to affect them.

Playdate or Soccer?
The club teammates aren't friends? 🤣

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The argument has never been that a Q4 kid is going to magically become an international star by switching to Q2 in a younger team.

The argument is that more kids will keep playing if they are on teams with kids in their grade.

AND

The trapped players will stop being screwed, several times over.

Switching to SY also does NOT allow red shirting, as its still based on YOB.

That's it, you can all stop being angry now.

Make the argument that its not worth the disruption sure, or that it misaligns with international soccer, but stop with the rest.

The argument about more kids playing with kids from their grade must be at the lower levels. No kid who is trying to get to the top level will care about this. I don't think my kids could even tell me what grade their teammates are in...why would they? There is school and then there is soccer...very different things. Is this something you guys are discussing about your travel soccer team? What grade the kids are in?

Really, "no kid" trying to get to the top cares? Some of them may not know any different, and seem happy with the current system, but I promise you some good players do care. Back in the day before all-star club teams were required to play in college, when teams were split by class year, most future D1 players I knew chose to stay on club teams with friends from school instead of moving to the best all-star team they could 30+ minutes away. Playing *for* their best friends in many cases seemed to make them play and practice harder. I think many are confusing the reality that ambitious players are currently *forced* to play without their school friends (to achieve high level goals) with the idea that they *prefer* it. And remember, in many cases we may be talking about just one potential new school friend being able to be a teammate at their club, which could make a big difference in his/her enjoyment. Some parents might be putting words in their kids' mouths when saying "my kid is so talented, hardcore, and focused on greatness that they don't care about spending extra time with school friends."

Yes
No top tier kid or kid aspiring for top tier cares about sharing crayons on Monday morning with teammates

Contrary to popular belief, the team age cutoff change will not force top tier, middle tier and lower tier players to play soccer with friends. Relax, if your kid doesn't want to play with friends, this change doesn't have to affect them.

Playdate or Soccer?
The club teammates aren't friends? 🤣

Your 2 rhetorical questions appear in conflict. Sad emoji

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The argument has never been that a Q4 kid is going to magically become an international star by switching to Q2 in a younger team.

The argument is that more kids will keep playing if they are on teams with kids in their grade.

AND

The trapped players will stop being screwed, several times over.

Switching to SY also does NOT allow red shirting, as its still based on YOB.

That's it, you can all stop being angry now.

Make the argument that its not worth the disruption sure, or that it misaligns with international soccer, but stop with the rest.

The argument about more kids playing with kids from their grade must be at the lower levels. No kid who is trying to get to the top level will care about this. I don't think my kids could even tell me what grade their teammates are in...why would they? There is school and then there is soccer...very different things. Is this something you guys are discussing about your travel soccer team? What grade the kids are in?

Really, "no kid" trying to get to the top cares? Some of them may not know any different, and seem happy with the current system, but I promise you some good players do care. Back in the day before all-star club teams were required to play in college, when teams were split by class year, most future D1 players I knew chose to stay on club teams with friends from school instead of moving to the best all-star team they could 30+ minutes away. Playing *for* their best friends in many cases seemed to make them play and practice harder. I think many are confusing the reality that ambitious players are currently *forced* to play without their school friends (to achieve high level goals) with the idea that they *prefer* it. And remember, in many cases we may be talking about just one potential new school friend being able to be a teammate at their club, which could make a big difference in his/her enjoyment. Some parents might be putting words in their kids' mouths when saying "my kid is so talented, hardcore, and focused on greatness that they don't care about spending extra time with school friends."

Yes
No top tier kid or kid aspiring for top tier cares about sharing crayons on Monday morning with teammates

I wonder if any good players at MLS Next or in GDA days sought waivers/exemptions to play in high school with friends… 🤔

Maybe some do, but the ones I know especially arnd here have their private school acceptance and scholarship contingent on their playing soccer for the school (and this is a specific reason listed as grounds for a waiver), not because they want to play with friends.

The truth is the kids (or likely their parents) that worry about being a trapped player or having a late birthday are just not good enough, or do not have a mentality/work ethic aimed at long term goals. Just grind it out and wait out the effects of puberty, and their work will show through. If they’re genuinely good and hardworking, that will show up.

We know quite a few Q4 bdays playing at MLSNext and I assure you, even if they would prob qualify for it, they would be absolutely offended if someone suggested they bioband. All of these kids are good enough to have a good chance at playing in college.

[Anonymous]

Considering a very small percentage go pro, a slightly larger yet still small percentage play in college. The rest are supposed to be learning life long skills through sport. Part of that is friendship and playing for the greater good of your team. This whole thread is depressing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Considering a very small percentage go pro, a slightly larger yet still small percentage play in college. The rest are supposed to be learning life long skills through sport. Part of that is friendship and playing for the greater good of your team. This whole thread is depressing.

Lots of kids have friends outside of soccer and it’s much much healthier to have a robust social network and hobbies outside of their sport.

If that is your primary concern, don’t let your kid play in ECNL or MLSNext. Lots of other options below that to play with friends and focus on the greater good of your team.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Considering a very small percentage go pro, a slightly larger yet still small percentage play in college. The rest are supposed to be learning life long skills through sport. Part of that is friendship and playing for the greater good of your team. This whole thread is depressing.

It really is depressing. The vibe I get is "your kids just suck because they are interested in maximizing their enjoyment of their soccer experience."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Considering a very small percentage go pro, a slightly larger yet still small percentage play in college. The rest are supposed to be learning life long skills through sport. Part of that is friendship and playing for the greater good of your team. This whole thread is depressing.

Lots of kids have friends outside of soccer and it’s much much healthier to have a robust social network and hobbies outside of their sport.

If that is your primary concern, don’t let your kid play in ECNL or MLSNext. Lots of other options below that to play with friends and focus on the greater good of your team.

Just because this is the system now, doesn't mean it isn't depressing. I don't know how many parents chiming in here about how weak everyone is can say they recieved a scholarship to play soccer and started all 4 years. I can. I also grew up with one team from when we were 11 until we graduated. Same coaches, a few players left and came but the core stayed the same. We became a solid team even though we did not have the best individuals. Back then winning state cup multiple years was enough. And ODP helped back then too . Again I understand the system is very different now. Different doesn't mean healthy or better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The argument has never been that a Q4 kid is going to magically become an international star by switching to Q2 in a younger team.

The argument is that more kids will keep playing if they are on teams with kids in their grade.

AND

The trapped players will stop being screwed, several times over.

Switching to SY also does NOT allow red shirting, as its still based on YOB.

That's it, you can all stop being angry now.

Make the argument that its not worth the disruption sure, or that it misaligns with international soccer, but stop with the rest.

The argument about more kids playing with kids from their grade must be at the lower levels. No kid who is trying to get to the top level will care about this. I don't think my kids could even tell me what grade their teammates are in...why would they? There is school and then there is soccer...very different things. Is this something you guys are discussing about your travel soccer team? What grade the kids are in?

Really, "no kid" trying to get to the top cares? Some of them may not know any different, and seem happy with the current system, but I promise you some good players do care. Back in the day before all-star club teams were required to play in college, when teams were split by class year, most future D1 players I knew chose to stay on club teams with friends from school instead of moving to the best all-star team they could 30+ minutes away. Playing *for* their best friends in many cases seemed to make them play and practice harder. I think many are confusing the reality that ambitious players are currently *forced* to play without their school friends (to achieve high level goals) with the idea that they *prefer* it. And remember, in many cases we may be talking about just one potential new school friend being able to be a teammate at their club, which could make a big difference in his/her enjoyment. Some parents might be putting words in their kids' mouths when saying "my kid is so talented, hardcore, and focused on greatness that they don't care about spending extra time with school friends."

Yes
No top tier kid or kid aspiring for top tier cares about sharing crayons on Monday morning with teammates

I wonder if any good players at MLS Next or in GDA days sought waivers/exemptions to play in high school with friends… 🤔

Maybe some do, but the ones I know especially arnd here have their private school acceptance and scholarship contingent on their playing soccer for the school (and this is a specific reason listed as grounds for a waiver), not because they want to play with friends.

The truth is the kids (or likely their parents) that worry about being a trapped player or having a late birthday are just not good enough, or do not have a mentality/work ethic aimed at long term goals. Just grind it out and wait out the effects of puberty, and their work will show through. If they’re genuinely good and hardworking, that will show up.

We know quite a few Q4 bdays playing at MLSNext and I assure you, even if they would prob qualify for it, they would be absolutely offended if someone suggested they bioband. All of these kids are good enough to have a good chance at playing in college.

The fact so many of today's world best players were biobanded because they were late developers makes your argument insane.

Biobanded and RAE is about not getting selected because of your delayed physical maturity.
It has nothing to do with your skills or training.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The argument has never been that a Q4 kid is going to magically become an international star by switching to Q2 in a younger team.

The argument is that more kids will keep playing if they are on teams with kids in their grade.

AND

The trapped players will stop being screwed, several times over.

Switching to SY also does NOT allow red shirting, as its still based on YOB.

That's it, you can all stop being angry now.

Make the argument that its not worth the disruption sure, or that it misaligns with international soccer, but stop with the rest.

The argument about more kids playing with kids from their grade must be at the lower levels. No kid who is trying to get to the top level will care about this. I don't think my kids could even tell me what grade their teammates are in...why would they? There is school and then there is soccer...very different things. Is this something you guys are discussing about your travel soccer team? What grade the kids are in?

Really, "no kid" trying to get to the top cares? Some of them may not know any different, and seem happy with the current system, but I promise you some good players do care. Back in the day before all-star club teams were required to play in college, when teams were split by class year, most future D1 players I knew chose to stay on club teams with friends from school instead of moving to the best all-star team they could 30+ minutes away. Playing *for* their best friends in many cases seemed to make them play and practice harder. I think many are confusing the reality that ambitious players are currently *forced* to play without their school friends (to achieve high level goals) with the idea that they *prefer* it. And remember, in many cases we may be talking about just one potential new school friend being able to be a teammate at their club, which could make a big difference in his/her enjoyment. Some parents might be putting words in their kids' mouths when saying "my kid is so talented, hardcore, and focused on greatness that they don't care about spending extra time with school friends."

Yes
No top tier kid or kid aspiring for top tier cares about sharing crayons on Monday morning with teammates

I wonder if any good players at MLS Next or in GDA days sought waivers/exemptions to play in high school with friends… 🤔

Maybe some do, but the ones I know especially arnd here have their private school acceptance and scholarship contingent on their playing soccer for the school (and this is a specific reason listed as grounds for a waiver), not because they want to play with friends.

The truth is the kids (or likely their parents) that worry about being a trapped player or having a late birthday are just not good enough, or do not have a mentality/work ethic aimed at long term goals. Just grind it out and wait out the effects of puberty, and their work will show through. If they’re genuinely good and hardworking, that will show up.

We know quite a few Q4 bdays playing at MLSNext and I assure you, even if they would prob qualify for it, they would be absolutely offended if someone suggested they bioband. All of these kids are good enough to have a good chance at playing in college.

The fact so many of today's world best players were biobanded because they were late developers makes your argument insane.

Biobanded and RAE is about not getting selected because of your delayed physical maturity.
It has nothing to do with your skills or training.

correct. Bale, Kane, Giroud.

the concept now is that the problem is not that little guys aren't good enough, its that the early developers are not good enough but just relying on size:
"the biggest danger for the sport is the big kid who is dominating. What we found with data is that you have an industry totally saturated with early maturers but not a high proportion become elite professional players. Therefore, the highest population percentage you are recruiting in the U.S. is the least amount actually coming into the sport. So we put a lot of emphasis on those bigger kids going up against bigger kids and finding it hard.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The argument has never been that a Q4 kid is going to magically become an international star by switching to Q2 in a younger team.

The argument is that more kids will keep playing if they are on teams with kids in their grade.

AND

The trapped players will stop being screwed, several times over.

Switching to SY also does NOT allow red shirting, as its still based on YOB.

That's it, you can all stop being angry now.

Make the argument that its not worth the disruption sure, or that it misaligns with international soccer, but stop with the rest.

The argument about more kids playing with kids from their grade must be at the lower levels. No kid who is trying to get to the top level will care about this. I don't think my kids could even tell me what grade their teammates are in...why would they? There is school and then there is soccer...very different things. Is this something you guys are discussing about your travel soccer team? What grade the kids are in?

Really, "no kid" trying to get to the top cares? Some of them may not know any different, and seem happy with the current system, but I promise you some good players do care. Back in the day before all-star club teams were required to play in college, when teams were split by class year, most future D1 players I knew chose to stay on club teams with friends from school instead of moving to the best all-star team they could 30+ minutes away. Playing *for* their best friends in many cases seemed to make them play and practice harder. I think many are confusing the reality that ambitious players are currently *forced* to play without their school friends (to achieve high level goals) with the idea that they *prefer* it. And remember, in many cases we may be talking about just one potential new school friend being able to be a teammate at their club, which could make a big difference in his/her enjoyment. Some parents might be putting words in their kids' mouths when saying "my kid is so talented, hardcore, and focused on greatness that they don't care about spending extra time with school friends."

Yes
No top tier kid or kid aspiring for top tier cares about sharing crayons on Monday morning with teammates

I wonder if any good players at MLS Next or in GDA days sought waivers/exemptions to play in high school with friends… 🤔

Maybe some do, but the ones I know especially arnd here have their private school acceptance and scholarship contingent on their playing soccer for the school (and this is a specific reason listed as grounds for a waiver), not because they want to play with friends.

The truth is the kids (or likely their parents) that worry about being a trapped player or having a late birthday are just not good enough, or do not have a mentality/work ethic aimed at long term goals. Just grind it out and wait out the effects of puberty, and their work will show through. If they’re genuinely good and hardworking, that will show up.

We know quite a few Q4 bdays playing at MLSNext and I assure you, even if they would prob qualify for it, they would be absolutely offended if someone suggested they bioband. All of these kids are good enough to have a good chance at playing in college.

Seems that ship has probably sailed though, you can give your expert advice (which goes against RAE research done by actual researchers) for the new Q4, kids born in May, June and July.

[Anonymous]

Ralph just told me the decision is getting pushed to the Spring to get more associations on board.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ralph just told me the decision is getting pushed to the Spring to get more associations on board.

It should get pushed out if everyone has not agreed. But US Club is ready and ECNL so will they just decide to go fall 25 and strong arm everyone else to start earlier than they want?

We will find out it the next few months.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ralph just told me the decision is getting pushed to the Spring to get more associations on board.

It should get pushed out if everyone has not agreed. But US Club is ready and ECNL so will they just decide to go fall 25 and strong arm everyone else to start earlier than they want?

We will find out it the next few months.

😂

Yeah….right….

[Anonymous]

ECNL will do it in fall 25. Some clubs want to even earlier, spring 25. Possibly for the showcase.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:ECNL will do it in fall 25. Some clubs want to even earlier, spring 25. Possibly for the showcase.

Oh Yeah? I heard ECNL will never do it and its fine the way it is, and you're an idiot for for posting this. I know this because my good find in ECNL told me there is not enough support. And he told me to call you an idiot while posting a reply that backs up my opinion with zero evidence what so ever.

I <3 this thread! We all have a license to say whatever we want with no proof at all!
--Can't wait to see how well this thread ages over the years!